Sniper Guns

Silent but deadly is the best!

If you want to be your paintball team’s designated sniper you need to make sure you have the right type of gun to do the job. To be a good sniper, you have to be a very accurate shot. You can’t get a gun to aim for you, but you can look for one that is very precise and consistent. You need to make sure you get the right combination of gun, barrel, and air system. This means you’re probably going to end up with a high end, expensive model. However some older pump guns can do the job just as well. The gun must be able to handle the weather conditions and dirt without losing its precision and range.

A lot of snipers prefer pump guns as they’re accurate, durable and cheaper than many semi automatics, and you tend to pick your sports more with a pump. On the downside, pumps are harder to upgrade than semis are. Good semi automatics can be just as durable and precise, or more precise than pumps, and if you do get spotted they’re usually more helpful when you have to make a quick retreat. What gun you choose though, is all down to preference and what you’re most comfortable with.

The gun barrel is one of the most significant pieces of a sniper gun, and it’s important that the barrel bore matches the paintballs you use. You should also use a barrel that has porting at the end to help keep the gun quiet. A barrel with porting helps, but some markers are just louder than others no matter what type of barrel you use. Some paintball guns also have a distinctive sound to them, and if you’re using a pump gun in an area full of semi automatics then you’re going to be noticed. A 12- to14-inch barrel is pretty good for a sniper. Flatline barrels are also good because they tend to shoot pretty straight, but don't get one for the range. Basically, you’ll want a gun that lets you change the barrel, and other accessories quickly. Just remember, if you have a pump gun, you’re basically stuck with the barrel it comes with.

You can also get a gun with a sight or scope attached. Some guns come with sight rails, but these are more or less useless because the hopper feed gets in the way. An alternative would be getting an off center sight rail. A scope may help your accuracy slightly and it will give you a close-up view of what you’re shooting at. This way, before wasting a shot, you’ll know if it’s the enemy or just a tree stump. The weight of a sniper’s gun is important. It should be light and comfortable. If the gun is loaded with a scope, a stock, and a huge barrel it can get pretty heavy and awkward. Try to keep the gun as light as possible and only add on accessories if they’re absolutely necessary.

If you’re a sniper, it’s essential that you don’t get spotted, so you need to make sure your gun can’t be seen a mile away. This means the color of the marker is important, so don’t use a shiny chrome model. You should try to get a black or dull colored gun if you are stuck with a shiny marker then you should camouflage it before the game.